Slavery and four years of war : $b a political history of slavery in the United States, together with a narrative of the campaigns and battles of the Civil War in which the author took part, 1861-1865. Vols. 1-2Keifer, Joseph Warren
History
Slavery and four years of war : $b a political history of slavery in the United States, together with a narrative of the campaigns and battles of the Civil War in which the author took part, 1861-1865. Vols. 1-2
Keifer, Joseph Warren
Slavery -- United States; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns
Accidental _good_ fortune in war sometimes renders weak and unworthy
men conspicuous. Accidental _bad_ fortune in war often overtakes
able, worthy, honest, honorable men of the first promise and destroys
them.(23) Very few succeed in a long war through pure military
genius alone, if there is such a thing. Many, in the heat of battle-
field experiences and in campaigns are inspired with the _common
sense_ that makes them, through success, really great soldiers.
The indispensable quality of personal bravery, commonly supposed
sufficient to make a man a valuable officer, is often of the smallest
importance. A merely brave, rash man in the ranks may be of some
value as an inspiring example to his immediate comrades, but he is
hardly equal for that purpose to the intelligent soldier who obeys
orders, and, though never reckless, yet, through a proper amount
of individual pride, does his whole duty without braggadocio.
A mere dashing officer is more and more a failure, and unfitted to
command, in proportion as he is high in rank. Rash personal conduct
which might be tolerated in a lieutenant would in a lieutenant-
general be conclusive of his unfitness to hold any general command.
Of course, there are rare emergencies when an officer, let his rank
be what it may, should lead in an assault or forlorn hope, or rush
in to stay a panic among his own troops.
This, like all other actions of a good officer, must also be an
inspiration of duty. The coward in war has no place,(24) and when
found in an army (which is rare) should be promptly mustered out.
There was no such thing in the late war as a regiment of cowards.
Inefficient or timid officers may have given their commands a bad
name, and caused them to lose confidence in success, and hence to
become unsteady or panicky. The average American is not deficient
in true courage.
Careful drill and discipline make good soldiers.
The American people were now awake to the realities of a war in
which the same race, blood, and kindred were to contend, on the
one side for a separate nationality and for a form of government
based on the single idea of perpetuating and fostering the institution
of domestic slavery and a so-called civilization based thereon,
and on the other for the preservation of the integrity of the Union
of States, under one Constitution and one flag.
In addition to the 15th of April proclamation for 75,000 volunteers
for ninety days' service, the President (May 3d) called into the
United States service 42,034 more volunteers to serve for three
years, unless sooner discharged. He at the same time directed that
eight regiments of infantry, one of cavalry, and one of artillery
should be added to the regular army, making a maximum of 22,714
regular officers and enlisted men; he also called for 18,000 seamen
for the naval service.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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